A new study found that Clark County Regional Airport near Sellersburg annually generates $234.6 million in overall economic output.

The Aviation Association of Indiana and Conexus Indiana partnered with the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to develop a 24-page report for the 2012 Indiana Airports Economic Impact Study, which outlines the economic benefits of Indiana’s airports to the state.

Melodee McNames, director of the Clark County airport, said state transportation data shows it’s the third busiest regional airport in the state, and the busiest one without a control tower.

Only Porter County Regional Airport in Valparaiso and Indianapolis Regional Airport in Greenfield — both of which have towers — have more based aircraft than Clark, McNames said.

“We’re the best kept secret in the Louisville area,” McNames said, adding it plans to grow more as the East End Bridge is built and River Ridge Commerce Center attracts more businesses.

Indiana’s 69 public-use airports contribute a total of $14.1 billion in economic output each year, and create and sustain more than 69,000 jobs throughout the state, the study found.

“The numbers once again tell the story about the positive impact of Indiana’s aviation industry,” Kevin Brinegar, president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, said in a news release.

The economic output figures include all direct, in-direct and residual economic impacts.

The study found that Clark Regional also creates and sustains 1,121 jobs with a payroll of $62.2 million.

New airport board member Tom Galligan, a former mayor of Jeffersonville, said most people don’t realize that Clark Regional has inbound flights from practically every state in the country.

“Business moves through this airport every day. Whether its transporting products, customers, sales staff, or company executives, Clark Regional keeps this county in pace with the global economy,” Galligan said.

Fellow airport board member Dan Gregory said the board’s mission “is to provide safe, quality corporate and general aviation facilities that aid the economic health of the region. I think this study proves we are doing just that,” said .